A Philippine police task force set up to combat kidnappings is to have some of its officers learn Mandarin and other Chinese languages, on the basis that ethnic Chinese are some of the most commonly targeted victims of casino-related kidnappings in that country.
That is according to a Sunday report in the Manila Bulletin newspaper. The same news outlet had last week reported the deployment of at least two special teams of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group to combat casino-related kidnappings in the country’s capital Manila.
Ensuring some officers have skills in Chinese languages would help with the post-operation or post-arrest phase of the group’s work, the head of the task force, Jonnel Estomo, was quoted as saying.
“Currently, we have to ask for the assistance of some groups to send interpreters in the conduct of our investigation, especially in getting the statements from the victims, suspects and witnesses who could not speak and understand Filipino and English,” Mr Estomo was quoted as saying in Sunday’s report.
Since 2017, the Philippine police has recorded more than 50 cases of casino-related kidnappings and arrested more than 100 Chinese nationals suspected of kidnapping offences, according to data from the force.
